Monday, February 25, 2008

The Reclaiming?

Tina Fey on Saturday Night Live suggested that women who get things done should reclaim the label "bitch." You can watch the video here (warning: it's about the primaries so if you suffer from primary allergies, abstain.)

I have a t-shirt saying "Bitch" on the back. It was a promotion from the Bitch magazine. Nobody has come to me to tell what they think of it, for some odd reason.

The concept of reclaiming a slur word and making it into something beautiful is an intriguing one. Does it work, though? I'm not sure. I think it would probably depend on how common the reclaiming is. If it's common enough to influence the overall meaning of the word, then it would work. Otherwise it would just allow those who use it as a slur an extra excuse when they get caught.

But it is indeed true that being called "a bitch" often equals being active and getting things done. Just think about the word "lady." Nobody calls you a lady if you get things done. They call you a lady if you have never pissed them off.

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